Digital supply chains increase the competitiveness of companies. A systematic approach describes the development of strategies to achieve challenging corporate goals with the supply chain and its digitalisation. These include better fulfillment of customer requirements, increasing sales and reducing costs at the same time. Strategy patterns are presented and their implementation in companies is described....

Digital supply chains increase the competitiveness of companies. A systematic approach describes the development of strategies to achieve challenging corporate goals with the supply chain and its digitalisation. These include better fulfillment of customer requirements, increasing sales and reducing costs at the same time. Strategy patterns are presented and their implementation in companies is described. Entrepreneurs, supply chain and operations managers receive a practice-oriented guide on how to align their company for the future. The tried-and-tested methods and approaches presented not only accelerate and facilitate strategy development, but also its implementation and support through digital solutions.

The focus is on make/buy decisions, solutions for decisions on skills, digital solutions in production technology (3D printing) and the impact of Industry 4.0 and environmental aspects on the supply chain. Practical examples will show how new solution concepts support the design of future-oriented supply chains. The trigger points that could jeopardise a successful supply chain will also be presented, as well as the design for time and cost optimisation in the overall chain. How must a company fundamentally question the historically grown supply chain? What is important in supply chain optimisation? The focus is on the strategies that determine processes, architectures, the use of digital technologies and the use of resources - taking into account the overarching corporate strategy, which demands shorter delivery times and lower costs in order to remain competitive. A guide to strategic design for digital supply chains is presented.